FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — “Bottom line is this. More people coming and less resources to serve them,” Poverello House CEO Zack Darrah said.
2025 has been a difficult year for local organizations, including the Central California Food Bank and Poverello House.
Both received less money and, at the same time, had more people asking for help than ever before.
“One kind of temperature check for us is certainly our thanksgiving meal, which this year we see a more than 20% increase in people coming,” Darrah said.
For the first time, the Lifelong Learning Administration Corporation donated a $15,000 check to each.
The LLAC bridges the gap for students in need. Co-founder Skip Hansen says their mission to serve those in need aligns with both organizations.
“Many of our kids are struggling with homelessness and hunger. We are seeing it at an epidemic level these last few years and as a nonprofit and knowing that we can’t do it all, we are looking for other nonprofits that are helping solve those problems,” Hansen said.
At the Poverello House, this check will serve about 3,000 meals and while for the Central California Food Bank, it will provide about 60,000 meals.
It’s the kind of support that is always welcomed with open arms.
“This allows us to make additional investments in programing in our organization,” Central California Food Bank Co-CEO Natalie Caples said.
Darrah and Caples expect 2026 to be even more challenging and hope local partners will continue showing up.
“We know we are going to see more people coming through these doors and we need the communities support,” Darrah said.
If you would like to help, the Central California Food Bank and Poverello House welcome volunteers and donations year-round.
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